Lap Steel Tunings

Let us say at the outset that there is no definitive way to tune a lap steel
guitar. A quick search of the internet will reveal that these instruments are
very personal, and each player has one or more favoured tunings.

Lap Steels are built in all sorts of shapes and string configurations - 6,7,8
or 10 string varieties. This allows the guitars to be tuned for simple open
chords to complex harmonic arrangements depending on the player's abilities and
tastes.

If we take the G Major 6 string tuning above, this gives two sets of a G major chord (G B D) an octave apart under the
slide. By adding the extra string in the middle of these two sets of G major,
and tuning this added string to various notes, the player has access to a number
of extended chord structures. The guitar can be viewed as such:-

The seven string configuration of the Neilson guitar allows it to be played
in a variety of styles and tuned to any number of chords. If you are not familiar with chord structures and
how to build a chord, click here for a brief
explanation.-

G B D x G B D

where x is the added string

The following tunings are available:-

extra string

guitar tuning

description

E

G - B - D - E - G - B - D

G 6 / E minor 7

F

G - B - D - F - G - B - D

G 7th

F#

G - B - D - F#- G - B - D

G major 7

G

G - B - D - G - G - B - D

fattened standard G chord

G6 / Em7 tuning

G B D E G B D

By tuning the extra string to an E (one tone above the D string), the player
has access to the 6th chord ( G B D E) and an Em7 chord ( E G B D). This allows
access to full set of major, minor, 6th and minor 7th chords with the single
tuning.

This tuning is very versatile as it can cover all major and minor chords
quite easily. It works well with country music - a style that consistently uses standard major and associated minor chords, eg C - Am - F - G
type progressions.

By using the 6th, the tuning suggests country swing and big band styles.

The Em7 opens up many possibilities.

G7th tuning

G B D F G B D

This tuning is good for blues based styles where the
(dominant or flattened) 7th chord ( G B D F ) is
used extensively. By tuning the extra string to an F, this tuning suits blues and roots music styles.

G major 7th tuning

G B D F# G B D

Limited but interesting possibilities.

G tuning (resonant string)

G B D G G B D

G B D D G B D

By tuning the extra string up to a G (or down to a D) will
return the guitar to a straight major chord with the G doubled. giving an added resonance.

G minor 7th tuning

G Bb D F G Bb D

This tuning produces a Gm7 minor across the strings by tuning to a G7 and
dropping the two B strings to Bb..

String selection is again an individual choice, but due to the shortened scale length, and the need to find an extra
string. The general rule of thumb is - get the heaviest set of strings you
can.

The D'Addario " Blues / Jazz Rock" set (EXL115) with an additional
.024 work well with the shorter 22.5" scale length, but if heavier strings
are available, they may be preferable. The gauges are (from lowest to highest):-

The 'Stevens' or 'Jim Dunlop' slide, or a rounded pedal steel slide are good
examples of suitable slides. The slides usually need to be solid and heavy - this
produces a more precise sound. Finger slides and bottlenecks can also be used.

This newly aquired
slide made by Tim Sheerhorn has become a favourite. The pointed ends allow
for accurate single note picking. Nice one Tim.